August 11/08 6:43 am - TransRockies: Stage 1

Posted by Editoress on 08/11/08

2008 TransRockies: Stage 1

Courtesy Paul DoneTransRockies VII kicked off in true mountain fashion Sunday with temperamental weather and spectacular scenery as riders wound their way from host start community Panorama Mountain Village down to the historic K2 ranch on the shores of Lake Windermere. Wind, rain sleet and snow - in addition to spots of blue sky - introduced riders early in the week to classic TransRockies conditions. A dispatch from Checkpoint #1 noted the mid-day drop in temperature brought with it the ability to see one's breath.

Following an introductory parade lap through Panorama, riders ascended to the literal high point of the week, at nearly 2,500 metres, after tackling a steep vertical wall that no doubt had everyone wondering early on what else TR could possibly throw at them this week. From the top, the route descended via a mix of scenic sub-alpine singletrack and jeep track into the Columbia Valley.

At day's end, the skies are clearer but the temperature remains on the chilly side.

At the Front of the Pack Stage One

TransRockies 2008 began with trepidation and nervous energy according to multi-TR winner Andreas Hestler. Hestler and partner Chris Sheppard, along with two other Rocky Mountain teams consisting of Kris Sneddon and Max Plaxton, and Stefan Widmer and Marty Lazarski were up against the Powerhouse Italian team of Marzio Deho and Johnny Cattaneo. Deho is ranked as one of the top three world cup marathon racers.

According to Hestler the Italians flew up the first climb like they were riding weightless hard-tails, and in fact they were, leaving their Rocky Mountain rivals behind them. Hestler and Sheppard worked with Plaxton and Sneddon for the rest of the climb where they eventually met with freezing temperatures and high winds before cresting into the single track. 'We were super tentative on that decent, as I'm sure most were. Our hands were frozen and we could hardly modulate braking', said a retrospective Hestler.

Topping out at 2400 meters above sea level, today's 1000 meter climb put all teams, including the front runners, into a deep freeze, consisting of horizontally blowing snow and frozen rain but considering the elements the trails were still in pretty good condition. One of the main difficulties with today's geography, according to Hestler, was the challenge to get food and hydration into the body. "We were going so hard up the climb we couldn't eat or drink and the descent didn't make it any easier. At the end of the day we ended up downing maybe a bottle and a half of water."

Sneddon and Plaxton made their move just as the big descent began putting Hestler and Sheppard behind them and into a 3rd place position but the day was not over. A final small grunt of a climb stood between the bottom of the big daddy descent and the finish line at K2 Ranch and it was here Marty Lazarski and Stefan Widmer made their move. "I was having a bit of a No Sugar Moment," reported Hestler, with a smile on his face. "Marty and Stefan pulled up and then pulled over the top of that last climb, then attacked on the final descent into K2. We ended up 4th for the day but I feel good about the ride and the climb we did today."

Overall the top 5 teams are pretty tight and as Hestler pointed out, three of those teams are Rocky Mountain teams. Could a plan be in the works? According to Hestler there could be something brewing. "I won't say there is a set plan but I will say it looks like we have an International rivalry on our hands as of day one. Tomorrow is going to be another survival day so we will settle in and see what the Italians will do."

It should be an interesting day, with three big climbs totaling over 3800 meters, and over 3600 meters of descending before reaching the finish line in Nipika.